Short shorts, the finals of The Voice UK and breaking his own heart – Olly Murs tells all
The Voice’s Olly Murs tells Samantha Wood about heartache, dressing room rave-offs and why he avoids short shorts
Olly Murs has just wrapped up our half hour together by saying that he really enjoyed our chat. Like, really, really enjoyed it. “You didn’t try to sneak in any questions about dating,” he says, cheeky chappy grin on point. “And I really appreciate that.”
heat is a bit confused seeing as we spent a good 20 minutes asking if he’s dating (he’s not), if there’s anyone he’d like us to hook him up with (there isn’t), and when the last time he had a slow-dance snog was (it’s been so long he can’t remember). He’s told us he’s no stranger to Tinder-style hook-ups, although the dismissive swiping is all a bit brutal for his sensitive nature. He’s talked about his excitement for summer now that one of his good mates is also single as it means he’s got a wingman to go bikini watching with, and he’s mentioned that his mum is super-keen for him to find a girlfriend, but he’s not about to “settle” for just anyone. But if that’s not asking questions about dating and he’s happy, then we’ll take it.
We were concerned, you see, that his weekend commitments as a coach on ITV’S The Voice UK, which comes to an end in two weeks, might be getting in the way of romance. But he’s reassured us that – because a lot of it is prerecorded – Will, J-hud, Tom and the gang aren’t frock blocking. It just hasn’t happened yet. And he might still be a little heartbroken over his ex… But more on that later.
The 33 year old has smashed it as a coach this year and thinks one of his team is a strong contender for winning the show, although a certain someone of Will’s makes him nervous. After all, his time on
The X Factor has taught him that stand-out favourites aren’t always winners – which is also true, it seems, for matters of the heart…
The Voice UK final is coming up – who would you back to win at the bookies?
I want to say myself, but I do think Team Will looks strong at the moment. But you can never tell. When I was on The X Factor, me, Danyl Johnson and Stacey Solomon were hot favourites for the first few weeks and then Joe Mcelderry came out of nowhere and won it. So, sometimes, it’s not always the person you think.
Is there going to be a wrap party?
I assume there is. I’m hoping to get drunk with the other coaches. We haven’t all been out together yet, because after filming, Tom goes home – he’s in his late seventies and doesn’t want to party until the end of the night, because he’s been there and done that – and Jen and Will generally fly home to LA. So I’m hoping they’ll be there at the wrap party. I’m sure I’ll get drunk and Jennifer will tell me off.
Has working weekends interfered with your love life?
No, because it’s all prerecorded, so we filmed all of the blind auditions and the knockouts and the battles ages ago.
So, do you have time to go on dates?
Yeah, of course I do! Who do you think I am? I don’t hibernate in the woods. I do go on dates – I’ve been on a few. But I think, in the last couple of months, I’ve been a bit more quiet. I don’t want to just go on dates for the sake of it.
Have you tried Tinder, or do celebs have to avoid it?
Well, I went on Raya, which is a similar thing for people in the entertainment industry, but I came off it as I didn’t like how shallow it was. You’re just flicking people left and right – that’s not giving people a fair chance. Why do I have the right to swipe you away or leave a heart on you? That seemed a bit harsh. I don’t like the new dating scene. I’d much rather just meet someone out and about.
But isn’t that hard for you, because you’re Olly Murs?
No. I mean, yeah, it is hard, but it’s not that hard. I go out as much as I can and mingle. I’m always meeting people, because I’m a normal guy. People should understand that, really.
Is there anyone you’ve got your eye on who we could help fix you up with?
No, there’s no one I’m interested in at the moment, unfortunately. I think the hardest thing for me is when I’m going on a date with someone, they know a bit about
me already. But when I go in and sit down, I don’t know anything about them. So I try to make things easy and comfortable for them. That’s probably the hardest thing, being able to meet someone who knows me, but isn’t afraid to talk to me about random shit.
When did you last have your heart broken?
I think I broke my own heart by letting my ex-girlfriend go. But that’s my own fault. That’s probably the last time my heart was really broken. It was one of those ones where you break up with someone and you don’t really realise for about a year after that, actually, you’ve made a big mistake.
Hang on – can’t you tell her that you want her back?
No, it’s moved on from that now. It’s too far gone. But, hey-ho.
How did you mend your broken heart?
I think men mend their broken hearts by simply moving on. And learning from it. You’ve got to look at your personality and think, “Why did it not work with that person? What did I do wrong?” You’ve got to learn from your
mistakes and understand why it happened. No one is perfect in any relationship. I hate it when people say, “It’s their loss, whoever gets me next is lucky.” I think if I had been a better person, or maybe done something different, then maybe it would have worked for us.
Oh gosh, that’s sad…
Look, it’s fine. I’m not really depressed about it, although it’s taken me a long time to get over her. But you know, timing plays a part, too. I think that, sometimes in life, you meet people at the wrong time or in the wrong place. But you never know what’s around the corner. I’ve moved forward and life’s great.
Do you get pressure from your mum to find a nice girl?
Yeah, I do, but I think I put more pressure on myself to find someone, to be honest. I’d like to meet someone and settle down. I mean, I’m in my early thirties, so it would be nice. But at the same time, I don’t want to accept OK, you know? Sometimes people just settle for an OK girl and an OK life and an OK everything. I don’t really want that.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are inviting some of the public to their wedding – who would be your dream date if you got a plus one?
My mum would never forgive me if I didn’t take her. It would have to be your mum, wouldn’t it?
what would you wear?
A smart suit with no socks. Because I’m from Essex, aren’t I?
what would you buy them as a wedding present?
I’d buy them [lewd card game] Cards Against Humanity. I think that would be a good one for the royals! To be honest, I reckon Prince Harry has probably already got it. I like the idea of, the day after the wedding, or next Christmas, them all getting together and having a few drinks with the Queen and Prince Charles and Camilla and them all playing Cards Against Humanity. [Laughs.]
what do you make of Meghan being our new princess?
Amazing. I’ve always been a big fan of Prince Harry – I think he’s such a charming, great guy. I don’t know Meghan personally – obviously – but she seems like a really lovely girl. And I think Harry has obviously been looking for love and has found someone who is on the same level as him. I think it’s great.
who do you prefer – Meghan or Kate?
Oh, you can’t ask me that! That’s tough. They’re both equally as good-looking.
if it was up to you to name Kate and william’s new baby, what would you choose?
Obviously, I’d give it my name. Oliver’s a great English name. Or Olive, if it’s a girl. Or Holly, as it sounds like Olly. I think Oliver is a very good British name. But also cool and trendy, if I do say so myself. But, if I remember well, isn’t Oliver always in the top ten most popular British names? It’s pretty cool.
Any summer holiday plans?
I’m not sure. One of my mates has just become single, so I’ve got a wingman. Cos, for a while, none of my mates were single and I had no one to go out with, and all their girlfriends hated me.
How could anyone hate you?
Because I like going out and having a good time. They see me as the bad egg, because I’m the single one. All my mates make joke that there’s an “I hate Olly club” between all their girlfriends. [Laughs.] I imagine they’re all like, “Oh my God, he’s out with Olly again. Something crazy’s going to happen.” Obviously, I’m joking. I get on with all my mates’ girlfriends.
But it’s nice to have a single friend to go out with?
Yes! So, this summer, I don’t know where we’ll be heading. We’ll probably go somewhere hot where there’s bikinis! Although, I struggle with tanning. I get bored and don’t like to sit in the sun.
You look a bit tanned now, though…
Well, that’s because I’ve got a bit of make-up on, innit. I do get a bit of colour, because I’m always out playing football. But I love the summer, I can’t wait. I might go to LA. Somewhere where there’s bikinis and women.
Are you a short shorts kinda guy?
Short shorts? It depends. I’ve got big thighs, so I do struggle in that department. And I’ve had issues with my bulge over the years with my short shorts, so I don’t want anything dangling out. no. Put that mouse back in the house, Olly… Exactly.
The Voice UK live semi-final is on Saturday 31 March, ITV, 8.30pm
‘All my mates joke that there’s an “i hate Olly” club’